Tyrann Mathieu tries to tease the Tide

As the days tick down to Monday’s highly anticipated BCS National Championship game, tensions are starting to rise between Alabama and LSU players. While both teams respect each other, each team features its set of highly passionate players who not only play a good game, but talk one as well.

LSU defensive back Tyrann Mathieu is never one to shy away from on-field banter. The “Honey Badger,” as he was nicknamed for his ferocious play on the field, is just as imposing verbally as he is physically.

“I got that from Patrick (Peterson),” Mathieu said. “You try to get the edge any way you got to. When you are on the field you’re just having fun, you’re just talking. If you can get a player out of his zone, you win the battle.”

When asked if there was anyone who he knew of that rivaled his trash-talking, Mathieu said he could not recall anyone.

“I’m not trying to be arrogant about that,” Mathieu said. “We are so good on defense, nobody wants to get in a shouting match with me and then line up on the other side of the field with [Morris Claiborne].”

Wednesday, Mathieu told the media he was getting ready for the Alabama players, by looking up their mother’s names. Whether it will rattle Crimson Tide players is yet to be seen. However, defensive tackle Josh Chapman said trash talking is just part of the game and does not affect him.

“It don’t matter. if they find out my momma’s name, then so be it,” Chapman said. “Trash talk only really affects guys who don’t know how to handle it.”

Chapman encouraged LSU players to research him, saying anything that removed LSU’s focus from the game would be highly encouraged.

“I hope a lot of them know my momma’s name,” Chapman said, “because if they’re trying to do that much to find out your momma’s name then you’re doing too much besides learning about some football.”

However, not all Tide players are happy with Mathieu getting relatives involved.